Our curated list of trustworthy
charitable organizations, where you
can be the hands and feet of Jesus
this holiday season

MUST Ministries suggests a variety
of ways you can reach out to
make a significant difference for
neighbors in need.

When God forms each one of us,
He plans to place a tool in our
hands that we will use for Him.

Great Wolf Lodge: Georgia’s
newest family resort offers a yearround water park and much more.

Publisher / Editor
Kristen Bland

Assistant Editor
Autumn Burr

Creative Director
Advertising

Gabriel Bland
Contributing Writer
Sharita Hanley

On the Cover

GOODlife Magazine features
Madeline Carroll, who has
a major role in the I Can
Only Imagine movie, the
recent winner of the 2018
“Inspirational Film of the Year”
Dove Award..
For the full story, see page 17.

Fall/Winter Events
Fridays, November 2–30 at 7pm
The Battery, Atlanta
The movie series is free to attend,
and guests are encouraged to bring
their own lawn chairs and/or
blankets. Parking is free for the first
four hours (non-event days) in the
Red, Purple, and Green decks. Dates
are subject to change due to weather,
etc.
November 2 - Jurassic World (PG-13)
November 9 - Minions (PG)
November 16 - The Secret Life of
Pets (PG)
November 23 - Captain America:
The First Avenger (PG-13)
November 30 - Polar Express (G)

batteryatl.com/events/

Due West Holiday Market

Saturday, November 3 from 9am–2pm
Due West UMC, Marietta
17th Annual Holiday Market, bake
sale, and silent auction in the Family
Life Center; more than 40 vendors

www.duewest.org/holiday-market

Taste of Kennesaw

Saturday, November 3 from 11am–7pm
Main Street Kennesaw
Downtown Kennesaw will be filled
with the sweet smell of food and the
sweet sounds of rock ‘n roll; over 40
restaurants, all types of children’s
activities, beer garden, sponsor
booths, and admission is free.

Baconfest 2018

Saturday, November 10 from
8:30am–10:30am
GracePointe Marietta Baptist Church
Men’s event featuring a “Man
Breakfast” of eggs, biscuits, gravy,
fried potatoes, and all the bacon you
can eat! There will be door prizes
and guest speakers. Tickets are $8:00
pre-paid or $10.00.

gracepointemarietta.org

Tim Hawkins LIVE

Saturday, November 10 at 7pm,
doors open: 6:15pm
Midway Church, Villa Rica
One of the most in-demand
comedians in the country; a
percentage of the proceeds will
be donated to support Clemmie’s
House, a transitional home for ladies.

midwaychurch.com

Veterans Day Ceremony

Sunday, November 11 at 2pm
Patriots Point at Cauble Park, Acworth
Acworth honors the brave men and
women living in our community.

acworthparksandrecreation.org

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags
Over Georgia

November 17 – January 6
Six Flags Over Georgia, Austell
The park continues its new holiday
tradition with a breathtaking winter
wonderland featuring 16 themed
areas that host a variety of delightful
By Divine Conference
and interactive activities to help
November 9–10 from 6:30pm–9:30pm capture the holiday spirit.
Grace Ministries Int., Marietta
sixflags.com/overgeorgia
The conference is designed to help
10th Annual Acworth Turkey
you consistently experience God’s
Chase 5K Fun Run; 2K Walk
love, joy, and peace in the midst of
Saturday, November 17 at 9:15am
life’s busyness and stress. This is not
Main Street in Downtown Acworth
just another seminar that teaches
Participants bring a non-perishable
behavioral modification, but a lifetransforming experience empowered food item to benefit the Tackle
Hunger Program, then enjoy a 5K.
by the Holy Spirit to communicate
Walk, jog, or run; participants of all
the indwelling, empowering
ages and abilities are welcome.
presence of Christ as Life.

gmint.org
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goodlifemagazine.org

acworthturkeychase.com

Acworth Senior Lunch

Tuesday, November 20 at 12pm
Roberts School Community and
Education Center, Acworth
Lunch is served at noon, followed by
several rounds of bingo with prizes
and other special activities; free to all
senior citizens.

16th Annual Gobble Jog

Thursday, November 22 at 6:30am
Marietta Square
This Thanksgiving Day tradition
features a 10K run, 5K run/walk, 1K
run/walk and a Tot Trot. The race
benefits MUST Ministries, a nonprofit that helps about 28,000 people
in need in our community.

mustministries.org

Christmas in Acworth

Saturdays, November 24 –
December 15
Main Street Acworth
This series of events kicks things off
with a Merchants Open House on
November 24. Shop the sales, sample
treats in the downtown stores,
and enjoy a festival of trees. On
December 8 and 15, get free pictures
with Santa between 1-5 p.m. (using
your own camera) and enjoy free
horse and carriage rides.

Friday, November 30 at 8pm
Earl and Rachel Smith Strand
Theatre, Marietta
Join Mac and the Family Reunion to
sing along to your favorite Christmas

143

Friday Night Xfinity Movie Series

a

c h i l d

i s

b o r n

Join us for Christmas at North and discover the true identity of the child born unto us!
Sundays in December at 9:30 and 11am | mountparannorth.com/christmas
MOUNT PARAN NORTH | 1700 Allgood Road · Marietta, GA 30062 | 770.578.9081
tunes, as well as a few of Mac’s brand new
songs and biggest radio hits.

macpowell.com

The Service of Lessons and Carols for
Advent

Sunday, December 2 from 5:30pm–8pm
St. James Episcopal Church,
Marietta
The order of service includes old liturgical
forms that vividly express the Church’s
preparation for the coming of the Lord
Jesus, including an Advent Responsory led
by the choir, a symbolic movement from
“darkness to light,” alternating lessons from
the Old and the New Testaments with
anthems and hymns, and the sharing of the
good news from St. Matthew’s Gospel.

stjamesmarietta.com

Night of Prayer

Thursday, December 6 from 7pm–8:30pm
Mount Paran North Church, Marietta
Drop in for a time of personal worship and
prayer. You will have an opportunity to
share your need and receive prayer from
trained prayer ministers in a safe and loving
environment.

mountparannorth.com/events

Christmas at Piedmont

Friday, December 7 from 5-9pm & Saturday,
December 8 from 10am-5pm
Piedmont Church, Marietta
Show will feature over 40 unique handmade
arts & crafts booths, a huge children’s play
area and interactive crafts for the kids, all
types of food, entertainment provided by
local school choruses and dance groups,
a live nativity, and free photos with Santa.
Admission is free.

piedmontchurch.tv/events

The Annual RiverStone Women’s
Christmas Tea

Saturday, December 8 from 9:30am–12pm
Riverstone Church, Kennesaw
Speaker will be the authentic and fun Anita
Corsini. co-owner of REDBaRN Homes, a
real estate agent and designer, and co-host
of HGTV’s Flip or Flop Atlanta. With the
Lord’s guidance, and support from lifelong
friends and family, Anita has navigated a
number of trials, including her son’s cancer
diagnosis in 2014. This challenged her faith
to the core, but by the grace of God, she
came out stronger on the other side.

riverstoneonline.org/events

Homecoming Christmas Concert

Friday, December 14 at 7pm
First Baptist Woodstock
Bill Gaither and the Gaither Vocal Band will
be joined by artists like Mark Lowry, The
Martins, The Nelons, Lynda Randle, Angela
Primm, and many more.

premierproductions.com

Christmas Caroling on the Square

Sunday, December 23 from 6pm–8pm
Glover Park, Marietta Square
St. James’ choirs lead the annual candlelight
caroling at Glover Park with favorite carols
and music of the season.

Thursday, December 13, doors
open: 6:00pm
The Classic Center Theatre, Athens
Welcoming back former bandmates Peter
Furler and Phil Joel for one incredible tour,
the band is together again under one roof,
showcasing all the hits. Zealand and Adam
Agee also perform.

newsboys.com

To See more events or to
submit your own, go to
goodlifemagazine.org/events
november/december 2018

Swish, swish, swoosh, swoosh. You could hear the sound
a mile away from our black concert choir dresses as we
lined the hallway, preparing to perform in one of the most
beautiful, ornate, and historic churches in the South.
I was standing in line in my usual spot—two people away
from him. It’s not necessary to name him—let’s just say
it’s the “him” we’ve all had at some point in our quest
to find someone to date and marry. He was funny, cute
(enough), witty, talented, and kindhearted. We’d laugh at
the most juvenile things about movies and ourselves. Now,
I can look back and shake my head at how dramatically I
pined after him. You see, he didn’t end up being the one
or the him I now love and share all my life with. But to a
nineteen-year-old kid with dreams of loving someone and
being loved in full, he was all I could think about night and
day. And there I was . . . taffeta dress, meat sweats, and two
spots away from him.
Usually I would stand next to the altos, an appropriate thing
to do for a choir—stay in your section. But occasionally
the choir director does you a huge honor by trusting you
to stand in a formation where you are mixed with other
singing parts surrounding you. It means you are good
enough to sing your part correctly without having to listen
and follow the person next to you. Listen, if it’s possible to
say that you feel “boss” and like a “bad mamma jamma”
about being a choir kid, this was the moment you’d own
that feeling. So I was in rare form that day. I was full of
tacos, with intensified confidence in my “madd alto skillz,”
and yet I was a ginormous ball of nervous energy to be
near him as well. It was the perfect storm for what would
come next.
We swished and swooshed as elegantly as we could to the
stage and took our places on the risers. We had several
8

goodlifemagazine.org

songs to sing that day as honored guests. And since we
would be there a while, the church provided some chairs
to sit on when we were done singing our special music.
Now, these weren’t your everyday chairs. This day we were
graced with the chairs borrowed from the preschool room
adjacent to the church sanctuary we were singing in. You
know—the hard, plastic ones that are only about two feet
tall. However small they were, I was grateful to have them.
I despised standing in that dress for longer than necessary.
As we finished our last song and ended this sacred, holy
moment, applause erupted. We were trained, though, not
to respond to any praise or applause whatsoever. Finally,
the director gave the signal to stand at ease, and we began
to take our seats. I looked to my right just as he began to

look to his left. We locked eyes. Y’all. Was this moment the
moment when he’d finally realize I was everything he was
dreaming about too?
With eyes still locked on target, I refused to be the first to
look away. I noticed he was gently lowering himself toward
the seat behind him. As he moved, I took his cue and also
began to crouch backward. In slow motion, as we moved
together toward our low-to-the-ground hard plastic school
chairs, his eyes shifted toward the floor behind me. His
expression swiftly turned from a small smile to a concerned
frown. I was not only missing the corner of this tiny chair,
but was also about to miss the entire riser that I had been
standing so confidently on just seconds before. As I fell,
my trash-bag dress blew up like a wind had taken hold of
it in a supermarket parking lot. Before I knew what was
happening, I was completely upside down, dress over my
head, and face flushed the brightest red. I collected myself,
pushed my dress down to its rightful position, rocked back
and forth trying to gain momentum to get upright, and
finally stood up with all eyes on me. Time was frozen. I was
frozen. Faces of friends, my choir director, and hundreds
of strangers looked frozen with concern as well. And
I had a choice to make. Would I rush off stage and hide
from embarrassment? Or would I laugh at what had just
happened and own the moment?
I believe we have moments like these every day. No, they
may not look quite like this moment. But they are moments
when we feel like a failure—exposed beyond the reach of
what we were willing to share. They are moments we find
ourselves falling hard right after performing at some of our
mountainous bests. We might feel embarrassed because of
who saw us fall. Yet I have found these aren’t just moments
but opportunities.
We all have a choice in how we respond when expectations
don’t meet reality. We can either flee in fear or stand tall
and laugh!
As the frozen moment of all eyes on me began to thaw,
I was embarrassed. I also knew that this was hilarious.
When I stood to my feet and shoved the dress back down,
I did what I know best to do: I let out a boisterous laugh.
Suddenly it was as if everyone took a cue in how to respond
and began to laugh with me. I wasn’t faking this moment
and hiding behind a laugh. No, not one bit. I thought
of what it must have looked like from the audience’s
perspective, and a smile made its way across my face, and
uncontrollable laughter followed. I wondered what he must
have been thinking of me . . . and as I looked up at him, he
was standing with a hand out to make sure I wasn’t hurt.
And I realized something monumental in that moment

LIFE HAPPENS

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about simple joys: joy can always be found when you
learn to not take yourself so seriously.
Oh, the joy we often miss out on when we flee in fear
when, instead, we should stand in confidence and laugh
out loud.
Proverbs 31 talks about how a truly noble and honorable
woman should behave and act and live. (Y’all know I
could use all the lessons I can get.) One of my favorite
verses says it like this:
She always faces tomorrow with a smile. (v. 25,
The Message)
Another version puts it this way:
She can laugh at the days to come. (NIV)
No matter what comes—the fear of days unknown or
uncertainty with health and finances—there’s power in
standing up to whatever you’re facing with a smile and
a laugh. There’s a deep confidence that confesses, “This
is not the end of my story, and it won’t be the worst of
it either!”
That moment with my college crush and the entire
audience seeing me with my dress over my head wasn’t
the end of my days. Sure, it was embarrassing, but
something in me knew it was better to laugh and know
this was just a moment. And wouldn’t you know it,
about twenty years later, I still laugh when I retell this
story. It was an opportunity to be brave, confident, and
humbled that I wasn’t about to miss.
Where in your life have you been refusing to get up off
the ground and break the atmosphere with a laugh? If
a situation comes to mind immediately, know this: it’s
never too late to shift your response. I know firsthand
that life can bring you down without warning. I know
full well that it can feel overwhelming. I know the
temptation to run away in shame instead of standing
tall and owning your mistakes (and, even worse, owning
your arrogance). The most beautiful thing about joy in
moments like these is how it reflects a humble heart.
So, friend, if you’ve been taking yourself a bit too
seriously of late, or if you feel overexposed and
embarrassed by choices you’ve made intentionally
or unintentionally, take some time to muster a smile
and know that simple joys thrive in your humility.
Excerpt from Simple Joys: Discovering the Wonder in the Everyday
by Candace Payne, Zondervan, 2018. Used by permission.

dward Chilungu, affectionately known as “Ed,” is the kind of
musician your soul needs after a long week and overpacked
schedule. A classically trained pianist, he composes music
reminiscent of the importance of Sabbath rest. But whether he’s
recording his debut album or playing with New York rock band
Relevant Worship, Chilungu’s focus is simple. “I play music as a
means for me to find communion with God. I want my music to
be a means that invites others to have communion with God too.”
His particular style of music is like an open invitation, summoning
listeners to do exactly what Chilungu hopes, spend time with God.

Musical Style

“This debut album is unique in that, through collaboration with
Chris Hoisington and other musicians, we were able to add a whole
new depth of color and emotion to create moods I couldn’t with just
the piano,” Ed explains. “The production enhanced my composition
in a cinematic way. In this album, you can expect to hear a musical
autobiography, as well as experience the peace and love that God
gives when we offer our music to him. This album will not bring
stress but rest,” he concludes. I couldn’t agree more.
Cerebral and harmonic, Chilungu’s compositions are instrumental
in more ways than one. Literally speaking, his melodies are classical
tracks made up of instruments like the piano, percussion, and other
wind, string, and brass instruments. Figuratively, though, the music
works just like Chilungu hoped it would—an artistic, symbolic
invitation to sit before the King. But this wasn’t always the case.

Journey in Music

Chilungu learned to played the piano at only three years old. Like
most classically trained musicians, his focus was on technique and
precision. Inspired by Bach, Beethoven, and Schumann, he wanted
to be the best and was well on his way to accomplishing that dream.
“I was playing at a concert artist level since I was around twelve
years old and had a strong technique for sight reading music,” Ed
asserts. But something was missing. He wanted to express his own
thoughts and feelings, so at only seventeen years old, he taught
himself to play by ear. “I found a passion to improvise and express
my own emotions.” As he grew older, gaining even more experience
as a musician was extremely valuable as he found himself battling
schizoaffective disorder, a mental health
condition that includes aspects of both
schizophrenia, such as hallucinations or
delusions, and a mood disorder, such as
mania and depression. “The first few years
on meds, my motivation to play was almost
Author: Will Graham
gone,” he admits. Yet God had a plan.
november/december 2018

11

While listening to the music of jazz pianist Keith Jarrett, Ed had an oneon-one experience with God. “As I listened to his [Jarrett’s] recording
of jazz standards, I saw my room fill with what appeared to be white
light, and the next day, I was able to improvise at a level that was not possible
for me at that time.” At that moment, his life and music changed. His music
became less about technique and more about expressing raw emotion and
the truth of God’s love. His time spent with Relevant Worship made it even
more clear. “I had found the reason to play. Who I played for [God] was
more important than what I played. He had anointed me to play for Him,
and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

An Invitation for All of Us

Soundtracks, his debut album, feels like a conversation with God. With
songs like “Return,” “Restitution,” “Angels,” and “King David’s Dream,” it is
like a collection of modern days psalms. But rather than words, Chilungu
has created brilliant harmonies that evoke certain moods. Nevertheless,
each sound feels somewhat like a prayer. “Angels,” a gentle, cerebral, and
heavenly composition, feels like a celebration of the new heaven and earth.
“Restitution” and “Return” evoke more repentant feelings that seem to
speak to the grace of God. But Chilungu also includes songs reminiscent of
everyday life on the album too.
“My favorite song is probably ‘Jessica’s Song,’” he divulges. “The song just
came to me in a moment of inspiration. I feel a very beautiful emotion
and good vibes while performing it, so for that reason, I would say this
song is my favorite. ‘Restitution’ and ‘Angels’ are a close
second because they show off more of my classical side as
a composer and player. ‘Roy Hobbs’ takes you to a baseball
game with the overdubbing of a World Series game from
about 100 years ago.”
All in all, the album remains very true to its name—
soundtracks. The compilation acts like a soundtrack of dayto-day life, reminding us of all the little moments God has
given us. Every tune encourages us to take the time to slow
down and say thanks for each day as it shapes and molds us
and reminds us of just how great He is.
Produced by Old Bear Record Studios, Soundtracks is
an invitation to Sabbath rest. It’s the kind of album that
requires us to stop and to remember the goodness of God,
and that is always a message worth hearing.
‘Soundtracks can be purchased on iTunes. Keep up with
Chilungu by following him on Instagram @edchilungu.
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goodlifemagazine.org

Sharita is an introverted free spirit who prefers reading over
talking. Seriously addicted to Earl Grey Tea, she can be found
at Teavana when her budget allows for it, or small independent
bookstores when it doesn’t. A lover of culture, she’s more than
willing to set her books aside for conversations about the Middle
East, Guatemala, and Nepal. She lives in Mableton, Georgia with
her husband.

Cobb County’s Best
Kept Secret for 36 Years
Imagine if you, your family, your neighborhood, or your
whole town was in an extreme drought where water was nearly
impossible to come by. What would happen if, in the middle of
town, a fully functioning well was discovered? In the culture we
live in today, we are iin the midst of an overwhelming drought.
A drought of freedom and peace that has led to so many people
feeling hurt, alone, and overwhelmed by depression, leaving
them with questions that need answers. But, in the midst of
this turmoil, there is a well that provides access to that much
needed life-giving water of freedom and peace, and that well
is called Grace Ministries International. As an equipping
ministry, they not only offer support for those in need but are
also a resource to ministries and individuals, offering training
and refreshment to those who give of themselves to help others.
Grace Ministries International is a well of freedom for the
thirsty and rejuvenation for those who feel weary and alone.
By promoting the indwelling, empowering presence of Christ
as life, through biblical instruction, both nationally and
internationally, their mission is to be a multi-faceted resource
to the Body of Christ through individual and organizational
discipleship. They accomplish this is by offering counseling
for immediate and long-term needs, education for life and for
leadership, materials to those in need, and more. Based in Cobb
County, they are actively seeking to make their services known
to the local Atlanta Christian community now more than ever
before. They also continue to have an impact on international
ministries.
Grace Ministries International seeks to provide restoration
through an environment that inspires hope, nurtures spiritual

growth, and equips disciples who can then equip others. With
a team of twelve counselors, through a model of discipleship
and pastoral counseling, they exist to help individuals discover
their identity and God’s good intention for their lives so that
they can walk in the fullness of rest and freedom that Christ
has for everyone.
When describing what makes them different from other
ministries, Gary Layne, a discipleship counselor at Grace
Ministries International, shares, “Other organizations may
work with you on three, five, or more steps to be a better
Christian or person, or perform better, but we look at why
you’re doing what you’re doing. We feel, like Christ said, if you
change the inside, the outside will change. So, as someone comes
to understand what they believe, what is truth to them, and if
they change what they know as truth as it is revealed to them
from God through his Word, then they can act in a different
way. We’re not about how-to’s; we’re about why. Because our
why is based on who we think we are, which our society really
struggles with. Christ came to give us a new identity as a child
of the King, and so if we can realize that, learn that, and walk in
that, it changes the way we act.”
This idea, that the cross changes everything for a believer in
Christ, not only deeply influences the way that they counsel
but it affects everything they do from creating nationally
distributed literature to teaching their educational courses.
So whether it be a class designed to help new and long-term
believers gain a deeper understanding of what Christ is calling
them to, a conference designed to encourage and equip leaders,
or a podcast on a challenging topic, intended to provoke
conversation and thought, Grace Ministries International
wants to help encourage and equip the Body of Christ to be who
we were designed to be.
To find out more about Grace Ministries International or to
access their resources and information on classes or conferences,
visit www.gmint.org or give them a call at 770-690-0433.

To find out more about Grace Ministries International or to access their resources and information on classes or
conferences, visit www.gmint.org or give them a call at 770-690-0433.

Spontaneous Evangelism
or Relational Evangelism?
By David Hoffman

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goodlifemagazine.org

In modern American Christianity, one of the greatest needs facing
the Church is the need to reach the lost and bring the gospel to those
who will never enter a church building. The Great Commission
(Matthew 28-18-20) is a directive to “go into the world.” Many
different statistics, determined by people like George Barna and
organizations like LifeWay, show that evangelism (the practice of
Christians sharing the gospel with non-Christians) in the United
States is moving toward a rapid decline. They also reveal that the
majority of America will be unchurched in the coming decades if
the trends continue.
There are many different perspectives and strategies for evangelism;
however, I am going to discuss one of the biggest issues that is
keeping the American Church from being able to properly impact
those who are outside the Church.
I would argue that there are two prominent camps concerning
evangelism in the Church today. One camp promotes “spontaneous
evangelism” and the other camp promotes “relational evangelism.”
Sadly, they are often pitted against one another.
Spontaneous evangelism can be defined as evangelistic encounters
with random people. Some examples include the following: a
person you share the gospel with at a grocery store, someone you
give a gospel tract to, an individual you strike up conversation with
in a waiting room with the purpose of sharing about Christ, etc.
Usually, spontaneous evangelism is done with people you will very
likely never see again. It places the emphasis on getting to the heart
of the gospel message as quickly as possible with the person in front

Both are good strategies, but both are incomplete on their own.
Sadly, many Christians feel they must choose one or the other.
It is a major failure of modern American Christianity that
the two are set in opposition to one another. Each side needs
what the other one has, and the most effective evangelism can
only be accomplished when the strengths from both sides are
incorporated.
When we look at the ministry of Jesus, we discover that He
perfectly balanced both. He made disciples over a long period
of time, but He also had spontaneous encounters with people
like the “woman at the well,” Zacchaeus, and those whom He
healed and delivered throughout his ministry. In each type
of encounter, lives were totally transformed by His love and
truth. In the same way, God wants us to allow the Holy Spirit
to use us both spontaneously and relationally so that He can
totally transform the lives of those we minister to with His
love and truth.
of you. However, it places little emphasis on building relationships
and following up with people.
Relational evangelism is completely different. It is done with people
that you know and see on a consistent basis. Some examples include
co-workers, extended family, neighbors, workout buddies, etc.
Relational evangelism places the emphasis on building relationships
before engaging with someone concerning the content of the
gospel. Over time, the gospel message may be brought up as the
relationship grows. The end goal of this type of evangelism is
helping a person gain a relationship with Christ over time through
long-term relationship.

God is calling all of us believers to allow Him to use us to reach
the lost with the gospel. It is not for only a few, it is not for only
ministers, and it is not for only those who seem to excel in it
or appear to be “naturally gifted.” The Great Commission is a
command to each believer to “Go into the world,” to “preach
the gospel,” and to “make disciples.”
If we are only open to God using us to do relational evangelism,
we will likely fall into having no outward witness of our
faith in our day-to-day life. That perspective can lead us to a
mindset that places 100 percent focus on only the four to eight
people we are trying to build relationship with and an extreme
november/december 2018

15

reclusiveness toward anyone else. That means that if
it takes two to three years to help four to six people
come to Christ and be discipled, anyone else that
God wants reached evangelistically will likely get
bypassed.

open to committing to Christ and being discipled.
Truly, it is not an issue of one versus the other. Both
will be required to properly reach the lost with the
gospel and for the American Church to begin to
become more effective in the culture.

On the other hand, if we are only open to having God
use us to do spontaneous evangelism, we will likely
fall into never attempting to fulfill the mandate to
“make disciples,” which goes beyond just “preaching
the gospel.” People who only embrace a spontaneous
approach often are very open about sharing the gospel
with random people that they will likely never see
again. However, they often miss clear opportunities
that God places in front of them to follow up with
people and help them become grounded in the Word
of God or grow in their new identity in Christ. It is
good for people to hear the gospel, but discipleship
is an integral part of growth in the Christian life, and
it can only come through long- term relationships.

Let’s consider a soccer analogy. It is nearly impossible
for someone on the total opposite end of the field to
kick the ball and score a goal, especially with the
defense and goalie in place. To score a goal, a team
must kick the ball back and forth to each other all
the way up the field to get the ball in the best position
to score. Sometimes, one player has the ball for an
extended time (relational evangelism). But often, as
the ball is moved up the field, different players must
quickly pass the ball off (spontaneous evangelism).
For people who come to saving faith in Christ and
begin to spiritually grow, each of their lives have
certainly been filled with many instances of both
spontaneous and relational evangelism.

Being a complete and healthy person means being
able to grow and learn new things. Those who
like spontaneous evangelism and those who like
relational evangelism must learn from one another.
Every single soul we come across requires a unique
strategy. This is because everyone is at a different
place in his or her journey toward Christ. Some
people need to be presented with the gospel, whereas
others have had people share the gospel with them
previously and now are at a point where they are

In the day and age we are living in, God is calling
us believers to take serious the command to “preach
the gospel” and to “make disciples.” This mission
requires an openness to the Holy Spirit using us
spontaneously and relationally throughout each of
our days. Your effort to share the gospel with a waiter
or store clerk will move God’s plan forward in that
individual’s life. Each time you share the gospel, an
opportunity arises for a dramatic change to occur
in the person on the receiving end. What seems to
be a spontaneous encounter can even open up the
possibility of relationship and discipleship if you are
willing to follow up.

So, when it comes to Christians fulfilling the Great
Commission in this country, we need to be willing
to allow the Holy Spirit to use us in certain situations
spontaneously and in other situations relationally.
Spontaneous evangelism and relational evangelism
should not be set as rivals. The truth is that both
are needed and required if we are going to be led by
the Holy Spirit to fulfill His plan and purpose as we
minister to those in our day-to-day lives.

David Hoffman is an evangelist and the director of
Kingdom Enterprises, an outreach and evangelism
ministry in Tucson, Arizona.
His passions are to reach the lost with the gospel of
Jesus Christ, ignite a passion for evangelism within the
lives
of believers, and help equip them to live Spirit-filled
and Spirit-empowered lives.
For more information or to contact him, please go to
HisKingdomEnterprises.com or IgniteAmerica.org.

november/december 2018

17

With spiritual wisdom beyond her years, guided by her parents’
example, Madeline began at an early age making God the center
of every area of her life and trusting Him in all things. Madeline
shares about when she got her first lead role in a film, Swing Vote,
alongside Kevin Costner and several other familiar faces, when
she was eleven years old: “My mom has all the credit in the world
for my first half of my career because it really was her being so

prayerful and watchful over me… She prayed so hard that I
would get Swing Vote. She literally walked around the casting
oﬃce while I was in the callback—like the walls of Jericho, seven
times. She just went around and around and around praying for
me, and I ended up getting the part.” Being a part of this film
really boosted her career, as her theatrical talent began getting
more attention and regard.

Reciprocal Faithfulness

“Y

ou’re never going to work again!” one of her
representatives told her as she turned down
yet another promising, career-boosting role.
Three years ago, the then nineteen-year-old talented
actress, Madeline Carroll, fell on her hands and knees,
crying out hysterically to God, “I am so done. I’ve held
onto your word. I have walked this thing out. I have
pushed forward. I just don’t see you in this. Lord, am I
just crazy? Have you moved on, and I just haven’t? Am I
being disobedient? Lord, I can’t do this anymore.” Years
before, she had made a decision to follow God’s leading
in the types of acting roles she would accept and had
committed not to be involved in films that dishonored
Him. But as she was getting older, it was becoming more
and more diﬃcult, and now she was at a crossroads.

A Promising Start
Madeline’s acting career began when she was just three
years old when a talent agent just happened upon the
talkative tot at a nail salon. Madeline recalls her audition:
“My mom literally had to read the lines off of the page
to me because I couldn’t read.” The youngster ended
up getting signed, and acting became her life. “I just
completely fell in love with it—you know, it was my
baseball; it was my soccer,” explains Madeline.
“While God was opening all these doors for me in acting,
He was also opening so many doors for me in my spirit,”
she recalls, adding, “I developed a really close relationship
with God at a very young age. I felt God calling after
my heart whenever I was like eight or nine years old.”
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More and more, offers for sought-after roles began pouring in.
Madeline was really excited about a superhero movie for which
she had landed a role. It had just fallen in her lap and she was
certain that it had been “a God thing.” But when she and her
parents read the script, their hearts sank. She explains, “It was
just beyond filthy and the character I would have played was a
really hardcore character and it had a lot of [explicit] language…”
While she had what she refers to as “ridiculous favor” with the
director, and he and his team were willing to revise her parts to
line up with her standards, she still felt unsettled about it. After
attending a healing service at her church one evening and being
asked to pray for a little boy, she immediately felt in her spirit
that she needed to pull out of the film. She told her mother, “I
can’t do this,” explaining, “I don’t think it’s gonna line up with
where God is taking me.” Even though she knew she was making
the right choice, she laments, “It was a really hard decision
because, with films like that, there’s times where they really, truly
do come along and you’re like, My life is just going to be different.
I know that this will make me a movie star.” But she held onto the
hope that God had bigger things in store and that He has His

children’s best interests at heart. Madeline shares that “God was
so faithful,” rewarding her decision to glorify Him in her career
choices. Through her early to mid-teen years, she landed major
roles in a number of studio films like Flipped, The Spy Next Door,
and Mr. Popper’s Penguins.

A Season of Hardship
When she was fifteen, at the peak of her career, it all abruptly
stopped. “And it was like all of a sudden… it wasn’t few-and-farbetween things I passed on, it was almost every project. It was
just hard.” But she continued to press forward. At sixteen and
seventeen years old, Madeline began to wonder if she was meant
to continue acting. She remembers going to the beach with her
family and just feeling devastated and numb as she suffered
through “a really rough identity crisis.” As she was walking along
the beach, she came across a man who was using special tools
to build and fine-tune an extraordinarily intricate sandcastle.
Watching him carve out all sorts of little details, she thought,

Wow, how much effort to put into something that’s literally going
to be washed away. She recollects, “He had designed this thing
to perfection, taking such care of it.” As she kept walking, she
thought, Why bother with something like that? And then the Lord
told her, “Madeline, that’s exactly what I want to do with your
life. I want to take the time and the care with the scraping tools
and just make you something so special and unique.” Madeline
continues her story, “And I remember, I had my little prayer time,
and I was walking back…passing the sandcastle again, and the
guy’s gone—he was gone and this beautiful sandcastle is left.
And there was, I’m not kidding, maybe a crowd of fifteen people
surrounding this thing and were now taking pictures of it and
pictures with it. And the Lord spoke to me again, and He said,
‘Madeline, this is what I want to do with your life. I want people to
see my hand and my design on every part of it.’ I started to cry and
I was so overwhelmed because that’s what God wants for all of us.

Madeline, referring to I Can Only Imagine:

“God’s dream was so much bigger
for my life than I ever could have
imagined. I watched this movie, and for
me, it’s just like this living, breathing
testimony that will be there forever
of God just showing up for me and
revealing to me who He is…”
God takes that care with all of us and works on us and just designs
us. And at the end of the day, we’re just like that sandcastle—we’re
going to be washed away. We’re not here forever.” That encounter
gave Madeline the strength and desire to keep forging forward
through her season of hardship. But it would be several more
years of the same devastating career experiences and decisions.

The Crossroads
This trying time led her to the inescapable crossroads, where
she had a pivotal decision to make. Was it time to put an end
to the career she adored? She remembers calling out to God in
anguish: “I’m giving up. I’m surrendering it. Lord, I’m ready to
move on. I’ve made up my mind I’m telling my agents I’m done.
Lord, I want you to know, that I want to follow you more than
anything. So here’s my dream—you can take it back even though
it devastates me. I just want you to know that I love you more
than I love this, and I’m willing to walk away if that’s what you’re
asking.” Then, she told the Lord, “If this is still what you want of
me, then God, you have to send me something—better yet, you
have to send me something that will edify you, and that’s how I’ll
know that this is what you want…I don’t want to go one more day
feeling this depression.”
Literally, the very next day, Madeline received a text from a
director for whom the year prior she had auditioned for a part
that she didn’t get. However, he told her, “I kept you in mind for
a year, and the Lord has had you on my heart…I just want you to

know that I feel like the Lord wants you to be in my next faithbased film.” Madeline broke down in tears. “I couldn’t believe
that God answered my prayer word-for-word… So, I knew that,
even though it’s been hard, I was still meant to be here.”

Beyond Her Imagination

After completing that movie, she was at a commercial audition
with another actress who knew Madeline was a Christian. The
woman told her about a faith-based film that was in the works, I
Can Only Imagine, based on the story behind the hit song of the
same name. Madeline shares, “I knew immediately that it was
going to be something so powerful, so I left that audition, and I
called my manager, and I was like, ‘You have to get me in for this
movie.’” Since auditions had already been scheduled, the producers agreed to set up a meet-and-greet with Madeline, where
she says they talked about the Lord the entire time. After she left,
she told her mother, “I don’t know if I’m going to get this part,
but I really think that I’m going to work with these people at some point.”
She shares, “I was so blessed and relieved to know God was just kind of
showing me that there are other people trying to do what I’ve been trying
to do my whole life.” And then a few days later, she found out she got the
part. “It was just amazing. I mean, just to see what God did with it from
then on out has just been insane! I just see everything that’s happened
with this movie, and I’m like, ‘God, who am I?’ God could have given me
anything, and He gave me this! And I am blown away…It’s truly been a
miracle for me.” I Can Only Imagine, which also features fellow Christian
and well-known actor Dennis Quaid, was released earlier this year. Madeline exclaims, “God’s dream was so much bigger for my life than I ever
could have imagined. I watched this movie, and for me, it’s just like this
living, breathing testimony that will be there forever of God just showing
up for me and revealing to me who He is…”

Complete Surrender
And God’s not done with her yet. Madeline has filmed several movies
since then, her most current release, Indivisible, in theaters as of October
26. And she’s even open to Him leading her into other lines of work if He
so chooses. After seeing His faithfulness, Madeline has so much more
peace in whatever He calls her to because she knows that He has her best
interests at heart. She told the Lord, “Whatever you would want of me
now, whatever it is, you have me totally.” She advises us all: “Let God either bless that dream that He’s given us or replace it with something else.
And God’s vision for our lives is always better. I feel like I’ve learned that
a hundred times over this past year.”
november/december 2018

19

THE GIFT OF

Christmas
By Jerry Samson

I left home for college at the age of seventeen. I could
hardly wait to be on my own, or so I thought. Just
before Christmas one year, I found myself broke and
without bus money to make the trip home. Too proud
and embarrassed to ask my parents for help, I tried to
hock my record collection. No takers! I was upset and
saddened at the prospect of spending Christmas alone.
Fortunately, I found a last minute ride and got to spend
the holiday with my family, who welcomed me home with
open arms.
It was also while I was away at college that I learned
about the true meaning of Christmas. As a skeptic, I
had a hard time believing in God. I had heard at various
times that the son of God, Jesus Christ, had come to
the world in human form, had died on the cross to take
away the sins of the world, and had risen again. But I
did not know what that meant, and I really did not care.
Being at a university, however, I was open to listening to
other perspectives about God. So it was somewhat new
of an idea to me when I heard that salvation from Hell,
forgiveness of sin, and spending eternity with God in
Heaven is all a free gift from God for those who make a
U-turn from self and put their trust in Jesus for salvation
(Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8-9).

It almost sounded too good to be true. Is salvation a gift from
God and not based on my own works or moral goodness? I
just wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sure.
After a few months of careful thought, study, and
consideration, I came to the conclusion that the claims
of Jesus Christ were true. I received Him as my savior. It
has been over 37 years since I made that decision. I have
experienced the peace and joy in my life that can only come
from Christ. Life has not been without problems, but Jesus
has been with me in the struggles. So, what about you?
God wishes good for your life and is for you. Please know
that He offers you the greatest Christmas blessing of all:

â&#x20AC;Ślet the one who wishes take
the free gift of the water of life.

(Revelation 22:17, NIV)

Merry Christmas to you!
Jerry Samson is a Human Resources professional
who works in Marietta, lives in Acworth, and
attends church in Woodstock.

november/december 2018

21

The GOODlife

GIVING GUIDE

We believe that Christians are actively called to be the
hands and feet of Jesus to the world around us. We
know that each personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life is unique, and the abilities,
opportunities, and resources to give to others are similarly
unique. As Christmas and Thanksgiving come around, giving
naturally comes to the forefront of our minds. But with that
seasonal goodwill comes questions: What organization
should I give to? Where should I volunteer my time? How do
I know itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a worthy cause? And so on.
In response to these questions, we have compiled this list
of organizations, mostly locally based, each representing a
different area of need in our community today. These seven
made the cut because they are incredible stewards of the
resources donated to them, not only in their application, but
also in the efficiency of their programs, so as to minimize
the portion of each donation that must be used to cover
overhead costs.*

22

goodlifemagazine.org

We believe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easier to stay invested when you are
passionate about something. So, as you figure out where you
want to give your time or resources this holiday season, find
a need that you have a passion for meeting and start being
the hands and feet of Jesus there.

*All information
provided by each
individual
organization
2018

MUST MINISTRIES

SERV INTERNATIONAL

Multiple locations in Cobb and Cherokee

Canton | Georgia

MISSION

MISSION

Serving neighbors in need… transforming lives and
communities in response to Christ’s call

GREATEST NEED

100 food,
New underwear and socks,
and toiletries for 33 pantries
PERCENTAGE
OF A DONATION
DIRECT TO CAUSE

85

To use food as a platform to share
God’s love and transform lives

GREATEST NEED

81.6

89

Private and corporate funding so they can continue
their mission to reach and love more people in need

77

80

PERCENTAGE
OF A DONATION
DIRECT TO CAUSE

100

81.6

www.mustministries.org

www.servone.org

WELLSPRING LIVING

COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL

Atlanta | Georgia

Colorado Springs | Colorado

MISSION

MISSION

85

Releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name

GREATEST NEED

For the winter season, see the needs in
their Christmas Gift Catalog at:

GREATEST
100 NEED
81.6

Funding and “new with tags” clothing for teenagers

89

77

and in 25 countries globally

Transforming lives of those at risk or
victimized by sexual exploitation

PERCENTAGE
85
OF A DONATION
DIRECT TO CAUSE

89

77

www.wellspringliving.org

https://www.compassion.com/charitable-gift-catalog.htm

80

PERCENTAGE
100
OF A DONATION
DIRECT TO CAUSE

81.6

www.compassion.com
85
89
77

november/december 2018

80

23

NO LONGER BOUND

DESIRE STREET MINISTRIES

Cumming | Georgia

Southeastern United States

MISSION

MISSION

based in Atlanta | Georgia

Rescue addicts, regenerate men, & reconcile families

To love our neighbors by revitalizing
under-resourced neighborhoods through
spiritual and community development

GREATEST NEED

Scholarships for men to come into the program.
According to the organization’s unique model, to assist
in supplementing the cost of the program, residents work
40 hours a week in one of four industries: Cars4Recovery,
NLB Thrift, NLB Studios, and NLB Furniture. The men gain
work experience and learn how to cope with the stressors
of a work environment, as most in the program have little
to no job history and, therefore, low income. Even with the
cost of the program supplemented by the industries, many
have difficulty affording the costs. Scholarships help lower
the barriers for men who are seeking help in their addiction.

GREATEST NEED

Prayer and resources to expand their care and coaching
programs. Through their partnership model, Desire Street
is planning to add 6 additional ministry leaders to reside
in and support under-resourced neighborhoods. Your
assistance will
thrive so they can reach more
100help them81.6
children and families with the gospel.

PERCENTAGE

PERCENTAGE
OF A DONATION
DIRECT TO CAUSE

100

81.6

www.nolongerbound.com
85

85
89
OF A DONATION

89

77

80

DIRECT TO CAUSE

77

80

www.desirestreet.org

ATLANTA DREAM CENTER

Southeastern United States
based in Atlanta | Georgia

MISSION

Atlanta Dream Center has three main prongs of service:
• Metro Kids: prevention program that identifies and
holistically engages children and their families living in
low-income and transitional housing
• iAm: homeless program that works to restore dignity
and meet needs of those that would be considered

the least in our city

• Out of Darkness: program that cares for victims of
commercial sexual exploitation

100

81.6

85

PERCENTAGE
89 A DONATION
77
OF
DIRECT TO CAUSE

GREATEST NEED

For this season, the biggest needs are toy donations (by
December 5) and partners for their Annual Christmas Toy
Giveaway on December 15. The gospel is shared before the
toys are given to the children. Long-term, the youngsters
are provided with an opportunity to thrive through
discipleship and academic programs.
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80

www.atldreamcenter.com/toygiveaway

Potterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wheel
By Cindy Evans

Here I am again, Lord,
I place myself on Your wheel,
shape me, mold me, fill me,
Your hands I want to feel.
Fashion me as you see fit,
I wait as You work and smooth...
Spinning around, help me stay soft,
do what You need to do.
Help me stay on the wheel,
surrendered to Your doing,
trusting in Your vision,
trusting in Your timing...
and tomorrow morning again,
may You find me right here,
still asking for Your touch,
always staying near.

3721 New Macland Road, Ste 200
Powder Springs, GA 30127

770-439-3006

Cindy Evans is a published poet living
in the greater Atlanta area. She knows
that she herself still needs molding and
hopes the Potter will have His way in her.
When sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not writing, you may find her
at a faith-based movie with her husband
or serving at the local Christian hospice.

15% OFF 5% OFF
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For Print Design
(Worth up to $15)

Limit one coupon per customer per day. Not valid with any other offer. Restrictions apply. The UPS Store centers are
independently owned & operated. Offers good at this location only. Exp. 02/28/19.

12 Easy Ways to Help Others
During the Holidays
By Kaye Cagle

The holiday season always brings
us to a point of thinking of others,
but few know the best ways to make
a significant difference. Partnering
with a trustworthy charity serving
those in poverty is a good solution. MUST
Ministries is one option in our local
community.
In the past year, MUST Ministries has
served 33,200 people in need, and 22,500 of
them were children. In fact, 84 percent of
all clients served were women and children,
including many single moms struggling to
help their families survive.
Few suburban residents realize the severity
of the poverty level right in their own community, but
hundreds are homeless or on the verge of homelessness. In fact,
one of the counties that MUST serves, Cobb, has documented
more than 2,000 homeless children in its city and county
school systems. And hundreds more are younger than school
age.
In MUST’s service area alone, more than 450,000 people don’t
know where their next meal will come from or when they will
be able to eat. Every morning, children are telling their teachers
they haven’t eaten since the last school lunch.
The good news is that many caring neighbors would help if
they just knew what to do, so here is a list provided by MUST
to give suggestions for reaching out:

1. Collect new socks and underwear—possibly the greatest

need for all ages. Because it’s easier to give something already
in your closet, donations are usually used items, yet donated
underwear must be new, so charities receive less than they
need.

2.

MUST provides four Toy Shops in the area. In addition to
donating toys, giving new winter essentials is a critical way you
can help: blankets (full size and throw blankets), hats, scarves,
gloves, jackets, pajamas, t-shirts, and of course, socks and
underwear.

4. Volunteer at a Toy Shop where day, evening, and weekend
shifts are available beginning December 1 and running for

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goodlifemagazine.org

three weeks. Go to mustministries.org to sign up. (Must be ten
or older to help.)

5.

Email MUST’s group volunteer oﬃce and come with
family and friends, coworkers, small groups, civic clubs, or
sports teams to sort food and clothing. Email aradford@
mustministries.org to schedule.

6.

Collect food. A list of what’s needed most is on the MUST
website, but with thirty-three pantries (including thirty
embedded in schools!), MUST always needs food to help
others. Canned fruit, cereal, juice boxes, peanut butter, jelly
(kids love grape!), and toiletries, like detergent, shampoos,
deodorant, soap, large diapers, and toothpaste are very helpful.
(Did you know toiletries aren’t covered by food stamps?)

7.

Help raise money to fight poverty by participating in
the annual Gobble Jog on the Marietta Square. Thanksgiving
morning, almost 10,000 runners will gather at something akin
to a street festival with music, Thanksgiving and Christmas
costumes, Gobble Dogs, and lots of fun. Sign up today at
GobbleJog.org and be sure to create a fundraising page to make
an even greater difference!

8. Host an oﬃce raffle to raise money.
9. Make a donation from your company in lieu of client gifts

and send your clients thoughtful cards saying you made a gift
in their honor to help someone in need.

10. Create a giving tree in your oﬃce, church, or
neighborhood clubhouse.
11. Email lminns@mustministries.org and offer to provide a
meal and serve it at the Loaves and Fishes Community Kitchen.
12. Shop through www.smile.amazon.com and select MUST

as your charity of choice so a portion of your shopping goes to
the ministry. You can even ship food or items to the Donation
Center (at 1280 Field Parkway, Marietta, GA 30066) so our
clients receive a donation in two ways!

So many ways to help and so many needs to be filled. Everyone
can do something to make this season better for a neighbor in
need, but the truth is, the need never takes a break. You can do
many of these things year-round.
Giving financially is always helpful, and you can add your own
creative ideas. Just think of ways to help and do it. You will
change lives—including your own.
MUST Ministries serves eight counties in North Metro Atlanta,
including Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Douglas, Gwinnett, North
Fulton, Paulding, and Pickens. More than 4,200 children will be
served by the Toys Shops.

DISCOVERING
YOUR CALLING
By Don Moen
november/december 2018

29

I

have led people in singing to the Lord for decades now,
but many years ago, I came to realize that, as Christ
followers, our entire lives are worship in so many
different ways. When my wife, Laura, and I are playing
with our grandchildren, to God that is worship. When we
get to drill another water well in Africa, we are worshiping.
When I sit with a friend over coffee and tell what God is
doing in my life, I am worshiping. When our lives are
operating in His Spirit, and we are living in His truth,
we are worshipers all day, every day and night.

the days ahead increase your boundaries and expand your
territory to bless God and all those around you as you serve
in His name. May you stay inspired and be spurred on to
even greater works.
Perhaps you discovered God’s gift that He placed in your
hands many years ago, but something, someone, or some

God has placed my hands on the piano keys, and He
has most certainly placed something that is personal,
unique, and special in your hands as well, through
which you can worship Him and bring glory to His
name. This is also a pattern of how He works in and
through us.
Noah had a hammer.
Abraham had a ram.
Moses had a staﬀ.
Rahab had a scarlet cord.
Joshua had a shout.
Gideon had a trumpet.
David had a slingshot.
Mary had a baby.
A little boy had a lunch.
A widow had two coins.
A woman had a jar of perfume.
Jesus had a cross.
When God molds each one of us in our mother’s womb, He
plans to place something in our hands that we will use for
Him.
Maybe today you know exactly what He has provided, and
you have been faithfully wielding your gift for God’s glory
in your circles of influence for many years. Bravo! May

unfortunate circumstance, regardless of fault, stole it from
you, cheated you, or simply distracted you. No matter the
reason that your hands are now empty, this can be the
moment you choose to take it back up, to reach out and
receive once again what God has always intended for you to
hold for His glory. Let no enemy, no lie, no false accusation
against you as a child of God hinder you from receiving
your inheritance that He chose for you from the foundation
of the world.
Finally, you may have been a Christian for a while or maybe
you have just prayed the salvation prayer for the first time
and have yet to discover what God has in store for you. Your
hands may be empty now, but you are ready for God’s will
to be revealed as to His calling in your life. Follow Him, and
He will show you His plans. Immerse yourself in His Word
that is filled with promises for you.
I will always remember the day I was headed out the door
with my briefcase in hand to go on a sales call. I stopped
in our hallway as God spoke to my heart. Right then and
there, I made the decision to follow God’s call on my life
to be a songwriter. I vowed to the Lord not to do anything
else solely for the purpose of making money. Setting the
briefcase down, I went straight to my piano and began to
write. I knew in that moment everything I would do moving
forward would have to be about my calling from Him. In
the next couple of hours, I wrote the song, “Here in Your
Presence.”

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Here in Your presence, beholding Your glory
Bowing in reverence, we worship You only
Standing before You
We love and adore You
Oh Lord, there is none like You
To write those words that thousands of believers around the
world would sing out in worship, I had to trade what I had in
my hand for what God had willed for me from His own hand.
Here is a prayer for you, if you’re ready to surrender to His will
for your life and discover your own calling:

Lord,
I surrender to Your will. I submit to Your plans. I
can’t do this by myself. So, according to Your Word, I
am calling to You right now and seeking You with all
my heart. Give me Your hope. Lead me to my future.
Tell me those great and mighty things I don’t know.
I want to listen to what You have to say. Please hear
my prayer and show me Your way. In Jesus’ name,
amen.

We’ve transformed into a Parent’s Paradise!
Come Experience the NEW School Box.

Huge Children’s Book Section

Exciting Toys & Games

Puzzles Galore

A Brand New Experience at our Kennesaw store!

425 Barrett Pkwy. Kennesaw, GA 30144

TM

schoolbox.com

Great Wolf Lodge

If you are daring, you must try Wolf Tail, where you step into a
launch pod to prepare for the floor to drop out from underneath
your feet, hurling you into a nearly vertical, twenty-foot freefall,
followed immediately by a 360-degree, high-speed loop.
Enjoy an exclusive, adult-only oasis adjacent to the outdoor pool,
complete with relaxing chaise lounge chairs and a private hot tub.
While you are there, your kids can visit Camp H.O.W.L., which
provides fun, educational activities both during the day and in the
evening, while you can have time to yourselves, guilt-free.
For those looking for drier fun, the resort features dozens of
additional entertainment options outside of the water park on resort
property. The selections include the Howlers Peak Ropes Course,
Howl In One Miniature Golf Course, Ten Paw Alley family bowling,
Northern Lights Arcade, Rustic Ridge Rock Wall, and MagiQuest,
a fan-favorite and the brand’s exclusive live-action adventure game.
You will discover a truly remarkable array of culinary delights
at Great Wolf Lodge. “We created signature menus for each of our
restaurants to ensure that all of our guests—no matter their age—
will find delicious, wide-ranging meals that will appeal to even the
most finicky eater,” says Keith Furnas, the resort’s General Manager.
You can begin your day at Campfire Kitchen, featuring an extensive
buffet of farm fresh eggs, Applewood smoked bacon, signature wolfshaped waffles, and fresh fruits and berries. Or save this option for
later, as the buffet transforms into a showcase of entrées featuring
local and regional specialties.
Throughout the day, you’ll find something for everyone, from options
like Timbers Tacos to Hungry as a Wolf hand-tossed pizza. For a
delicious afternoon treat, you can opt for classic favorites like Ben
& Jerry’s or Dunkin’ Donuts, or try out Incredible Craveable, whose

R

ain, heat, snow, or sleet cannot keep you
away from the newest family resort in
Georgia! The nearly 500,000-square-foot
resort includes a 93,000-square-foot indoor
water park, a 40,000-square-foot adventure park,
and 20,000 square feet of meeting spaces. The Great
Wolf Lodge Georgia resort, located off Interstate 85 in
LaGrange, just a short distance from Columbus, also
features 456 themed hotel rooms, including family
suites accommodating eight to thirteen people.
As you come through the entrance, passing the huge
stone wolf, you and your family will not be able to hold
back your excitement. You will arrive at the gorgeous,
enormous lobby that feels like you are entering a ski
resort—very warm and inviting. The friendly staff will
greet you with the remarkable service they continue
to provide throughout your stay.
Splashtacular family fun and water-filled thrills await
you inside the water park. You will have a howling
good time at the indoor water park, filled with body slides, tube
slides, raft rides, activity pools, and splash areas designed to delight
every age range and thrill level. You will discover comfortable
84-degree temperatures year-round, a gigantic wave pool, complete
with waves reaching up to three feet in height as they roll through
every five minutes, and a winding lazy river for relaxing. Don’t miss
Fort Mackenzie, a “water fort treehouse,” and the two first-of-theirkind slides, Rapid Racer and Triple Thunder.

highlight is the signature Tipping Bucket Sundae, a pack-sized treat
layered with ice cream, brownies, cookies, candy, chocolate sauce,
and whipped cream.
To end a day of adventure, the adults in your group will especially
enjoy an upscale dining concept at Barnwood, featuring a farm-tofork menu in a rustic-themed setting. The menu is highlighted by
ingredients sourced from a 100-mile radius of the resort, ensuring

freshness and an ever-changing array of dishes based on
seasonality.
“We are committed to sourcing our ingredients locally,
meaning not only are we supporting the area purveyors and
farmers, but we’re also able to offer the freshest fare in our
dining facilities,” explains John Suley, Vice President of Food
and Beverage for Great Wolf Resorts. “Not only will the food
be freshest possible, but the menu will feature fan-favorite
dishes from other Great Wolf Lodge locations, paired with
local Southern favorites.”
But no matter where you eat, all kitchen facilities at Great Wolf
Lodge are free of peanuts and tree nuts.
So, what are you waiting for? Visit www.greatwolf.com/georgia
to begin planning your adventure at the Great Wolf Lodge
Georgia today.

Valuable Tip:
You can arrive as early as 1:00 p.m. on the day of check-in and
enjoy the amenities even if your room is not ready. On your day of
departure, check-out is 11:00 a.m., but you can also stay and use all
amenities until the evening when everything closes!

SNOWLAND HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
(November & December)
Great Wolf Lodge celebrates the most festive time of year with
its annual Snowland celebration, taking place November through
December, 2018. Adults and children alike will delight when
they arrive at Great Wolf Lodge, as the Grand Lobby transforms
into a winter wonderland, complete with hundreds of twinkling
lights, Christmas trees, daily snow showers, and other cheerful
decorations.
Snowland also features visits from Santa Claus; North Pole
University, where kids complete fun, holiday-themed assignments
around the resort for the chance to earn a “snowploma;” the
Polar Wolf Walk, a tour that teaches lessons about polar bears
and penguins; and more. During the winter “howliday,” children’s
activities, including Story Time, Yoga Tails, Interaction Reaction,
and Paws on Projects, will also get a jolly twist.